Pittsburgh Independent Hi-Railers Holiday Display

We will have our layout up again this year at Kennywood Park along with the Parks Holiday Light Display. Fri, Sat, and Sunday now threw Christmas then Dec 26-30. Hours are 5-9pm. Tonight is the First night. I will post pictures that I will take this Eve.

Some more Pictures of our Display. The crowd was great the weather was good and we are ready for day 2. Little colder today but this is Pittsburgh and the people always come out no matter what the weather is.

This year, they are offering season passes for only around $10 more than a single admission.

Andy

Andy, Since my hometown is Duquesne (Miller Avenue, Duquesne Place,) I especially appreciate your thoughtfulness in posting the website and those photos of Kennywood during the Winter. I haven't been in Kennywood for decades and surely never saw it that way when I worked in the employee's cafeteria 50 (!) years ago. So, thanks again for the feast-for-the-eyes and the update.

This is only the second year for this event. And judging by the crowds, I don't think it will be the last. We probably get more eyes on the PIHR layout in one day at this event than at any two Greenberg train shows combined, and that may be understating things.

I plan on taking some more pictures and video, and will post as I get time. I wish you ex-Pittsburgh guys could see the park with all the lights. It is simply stunning. And last night, we got a dusting of snow (at least around my house), and if it lasts through the day, the park should be even more beautiful.

The club must be so excited when putting all that together for folks to enjoy. Sharing a layout during this time of year doesn't just entertain; it gives folks memories that last a lifetime, as we in this hobby of ours well know.

Andy, Those shots of Kennywood Park itself are much appreciated, too! You've very kindly provided an opportunity to see things I may never have a chance to see in-person. For me, seeing all these photos has been a Christmas present, taking me back to a place dear to me. Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness.

It is a joy to share our hobby, and the people who come to see us appear to be enjoying it as well, based on their reactions, like pointing out little humorous details scattered around the modules, looking inside the passenger cars at the figures, taking photos and videos, and asking lots of questions. Even the park employees come around to check us out on breaks and before the park opens.

Well last eve while trying to get something out from under my module I knocked out the support that holds my mountain up. What a mess I had.It came crashing to the floor and I was under it.Thank God it is made out of foam. The only thing that really was damaged was a $80 1/43 car.Its now worth about $5. In a short time I had it back in place. I have to do some wireing and all will be like it was. I am going to come up with a better support before Fri.

This year's setup at Kennywood is slightly larger than last year's, but from what I understand, the club members have more than enough modules to do two shows simultaneously (and it has been done on many occasions).

I think that clubs like ours (and the many others out there) are the best way to really share this hobby.

And here are some shots from tonight, including some new additions to the layout in the form of a construction site, a very appropriate amusement area featuring Coaster Dynamix versions of Kennywood's Turtle and Thunderbolt, and Thom's latest custom car - a Heinz truck on a short Heinz flat car.

I think that the coolest thing is the sheer number of people that we had come through last night. For a long stretch of the night, we could barely move around outside of the layout for all the people that were there.

I was running my scale Polar Express engine with a consist of all the scale Polar Railroad freight cars, and it was almost as big a hit as the consist of the PE passenger cars. To quote one little girl that I overheard explaining to her mother, "That's how Santa gets his supplies."

Oh, and for the other modular clubs out there, the Coaster Dynamix rides were a pretty big hit with the crowds. Just sayin'...

Last night, the Kennywood Park Police stopped by with this gift of a perfectly-sized Kennywood Police cruiser (and the PIHR would like to again extend our thanks and appreciation to the Kennywood Park Police for this gift)

Great shots Andy. We will have to make you the Offical Picture taker of the Club.You are getting every angle of the display. Great Job.

Its hard belive we have done 2 weekens already.

You can look at the pictures but seeing it all in person is really something. The lights all over the Park make the place take on a different look.If you a able and can make it to Kennywood I think you will enjoy the Park in a differnt way than you have in the Summer. Three more weekend to catch it all before Christmas and 5 days after.